Man convicted of raping Habitat for Humanity worker

A Davidson County Criminal Court jury has convicted 22-year-old James Hunt of raping a Habitat for Humanity worker, and kidnapping and robbing her and her fiancé two years ago.

The jury deliberated about four hours before returning the guilty verdict late Wednesday night, according to the district attorney’s office.

On July 11, 2008, the two victims were working at night as independent contractors on a Habitat for Humanity construction site at Lauren Evelyn Way when Hunt approached them, drew a gun and demanded money. After raping the woman, he forced both victims into a cargo van and fired a shot at it as he left.

Hunt was later tied to the case through DNA evidence. He was convicted of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault. He has a previous conviction of a home burglary.